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Few people go into an ice cream store and wonder, American or French? Yet ice cream artisans in the US generally focus on one of these two categories: American-style (also called Philadelphia-style), made with sugar, milk and cream; and French-style, prepared with an egg custard. At Seattle’s Molly Moon’s ice cream shops, owner Molly Neitzel sells only the American style. “I love how easy it is to make, and I love its pure cream taste,” she says. “It’s the best way to showcase fresh fruit and herbs.” But she and Christina Spittler, head chef and co-author of a new cookbook, Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream, also enjoy the lush texture of the French style. (The lecithin in egg yolks helps prevent ice crystals.) “Nuts, butterscotch and caramel go great with that custardy flavor,” says Spittler. Here are their best recipes, plus fun flavor ideas like salted caramel or blackberries with fresh sage.

Advice on Shelf Life

Homemade ice cream doesn’t contain gums and stabilizers like store-bought does, so try to eat it within a few days.